Mont Macaron from Bordinas

Hike near Nice with superb panoramic views of the sea from Nice to Cannes and the Mercantour. 360° panorama at the top of Mont Macaron. Easy descent via track.

Details

n°43175217

Creation:
08 Dec 2023

Last update:
05 Feb 2024

Last review:
15 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.91 km
Average duration: 3h 25
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 399 m
Descent: - 398 m
Highest point: 807 m
Lowest point: 415 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Préalpes de Nice
City: Cantaron (06340)
Start/End: N 43.769454° / E 7.301687°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3742OT
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

Access by car to Bordinas. Park in the car park with around ten spaces.

(S/E) Join the^GR® 51, marked in red and white, at the end of the car park, marker 785. Take the path on the left which climbs up to the Baisse (Col) de Bordinas.

(1) Leave the road on your right and take the one opposite. Leave the^GR® on your left and take the road opposite you, to the right of the gate. After about 50 m, take the path opposite you, on your right. This path continues flat through the undergrowth, then descends slightly to pass a small ravine, then climbs steeply to a small crossroads.

(2) Follow the path that climbs to your right until you reach the next crossroads.

(3) Take the path on the right that climbs slightly to the junction with the track coming from the ruins of Châteauneuf, marker 744.

(4) Take the second path that climbs steeply to your left, and climb up and pass the building on your right. Continue climbing until you reach a path on your right, slightly hidden by vegetation (altitude 750 m).

(5) Follow this path to the right along the contour line and join the Mont Macaron track at a hairpin bend.

(6) Take the track on your left, reach marker 745 and then the summit of Mont Macaron by taking the path on the right at marker 745.

(7) At the summit of Mont Macaron: enjoy the 360° panoramic view.Then descend via the track.

(6) Stay on this track until the next hairpin bend.

(8) Negotiate this hairpin bend on your right and you will arrive at a flatter, more open area called Touarts.

(9) Take the path you will see between the trees on your left to cut across the next hairpin bend. Join the track and continue to the left. Cut across the next hairpin bend by taking the stony path on your right, join the track at marker 746 and follow it to the right. Continue down the track to the second hairpin bend.

(10) Take the bend and descend the track on the right until you reach the barrier and the Baisse (Col) de Bordinas.

(1) Take the^GR®51on your left back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 415 m - Bordinas car park, marker 785
1 : km 0.43 - alt. 475 m - Baisse de Bordinas (476m)
2 : km 1.45 - alt. 544 m - Crossroads, viewpoints
3 : km 1.96 - alt. 646 m - Crossroads, viewpoint
4 : km 2.14 - alt. 669 m - Marker 744
5 : km 2.5 - alt. 752 m - Path on the right
6 : km 2.65 - alt. 749 m - Mont Macaron trail
7 : km 3.25 - alt. 806 m - Summit of - Mont Macaron (806m)
8 : km 4.18 - alt. 727 m - Switchback, junction, on the right
9 : km 4.45 - alt. 712 m - Shortcut to the left.
10 : km 5.8 - alt. 585 m - Switchback, crossroads
S/E : km 7.91 - alt. 415 m - Bordinas car park

Notes

Walking shoes are strongly recommended.
No water on the route.
From point (S/E) to (4) shaded route and then Mediterranean heath vegetation.

(5) Alternative: you can also continue climbing to the first summit, then descend slightly to the left towards marker 745 and climb to the summit of Mont Macaron.

Worth a visit

(2) Enjoy the magnificent views of Tourrette-Levens and its castle, the Mont Chauves, the peaks of the Mercantour, the peaks above Vence, and also the coastline from Nice to the Estérel.
Between points (2) and (3), there are superb panoramic views of the Côte d'Azur, so don't hesitate to turn around regularly.
(3) Beautiful view of the Mercantour peaks and the ruins of Châteauneuf.
Superb views of Nice between points (5) and (6).
(7) Unobstructed 360° view. Panoramic views of the coast and mountains, showcasing the diversity of the French Riviera, sea, snow and sun.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5

Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

Remi_22

15 Sep 2025 at 09:19 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is my fifth time doing this short hike. It's a beautiful route with magical views of Nice and the French Riviera. It's easy to follow and the views are truly incredible! It's well worth the detour.

Machine-translated

Cromagnon

31 Mar 2025 at 09:45 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very popular route, used by both hikers and mountain bikers. Beautiful views. Some junctions are difficult to find due to the large number of paths that have been created.

Machine-translated

RenaudSavignard

03 Feb 2025 at 11:25 3600

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Apart from the signs, most of the markers have been torn down. It is possible to get lost in several places, particularly at waypoint 1, where I took a path north of the route.
If this happens to you, don't worry, it's a bit of a steep climb but you'll reach point 4.
Beautiful views.
That said, I find the access to Mont Macaron more pleasant from the Col de Chateauneuf in terms of the environment... but it is also busier.
Walking poles will come in handy for the climb and the slightly treacherous marl passages in winter.

Machine-translated

rayman95

22 Jan 2024 at 10:12 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk in fine weather... superb scenery... we extended it via St Joseph's Chapel... which adds an hour to reach the summit.

Machine-translated

levieuxrandonneur

19 Jan 2024 at 19:04 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

- Please note: although Bordinas is part of the Cantaron hills, it can be accessed from La Trinité on the D2204c road, not from Cantaron.
Route taken with the following variation, which allows you to visit the ruins of Chateauneuf and St Joseph's Chapel:
At marker 673, take the left-hand path leading to the ruins (beautiful view of Tourette-Levens). Return via the gentle slope to Mont Macaron along the ridge trail. Be careful at marker 747, as you will have slightly overshot the summit: a trail leads to it. At marker 747, resume the route described in the guidebook.
To shorten the route, go directly from the Col de Bordinas to marker 673.
Before arriving at the Col de Bordinas, admire the layout of the trail.

Machine-translated

seb7484

05 Jan 2024 at 13:19 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Did it the day before yesterday, lovely walk, beautiful views. From point 4, we extended the walk by heading towards Saint Joseph's Chapel (and the ruins of Villevieille) then returned to the highest point via the ridge. Allow an extra hour or so for this lovely "detour".

Machine-translated

danielaime06

19 Dec 2023 at 18:37 3600 • Edited: 19 Dec 2023 at 18:39 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In terms of elevation, the climb is challenging, but the descent is easy.
In terms of interest, the route offers beautiful views, especially at the top of Mount Macaron. Although the return trip on the wide track may seem a little monotonous, it offers splendid panoramic views of the French Riviera.
We met a shepherd with his sheep and dogs. By keeping our distance, we had no problems with the dogs.
Thank you for this lovely route.

Note: at the point (1), there are a few parking spaces for those who would like to avoid the short return trip from the start and finish.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.

Author

Henri Colomars
2 Walks

Visorando Member

Machine-translated walk - Original version

Walk map

Bigger map and chart